Petunia plant named ‘Sunbelkos’

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a new and distinct variety of Petunia plant, having a semi-decumbent habit. The Petunia plant has abundant branching, particularly with respect to secondary branching, and great profusion of blooms with the entire plant remaining in bloom for a considerable period of time. The flowers are single and very small with the petals having a deep purplish pink˜strong purplish pink ground color with a dark red center margin. The base color of the corolla throat is brilliant greenish yellow and the outside of the corolla tube is moderate olive. The plant exhibits high resistance to rain, heat, drought and diseases such as powdery mildew.

Botanical/commercial classification: Petunia hybrida/Petunia Plant.

Varietal denomination: cv. ‘Sunbelkos’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

The Petunia is a very popular plant that is used for flower bedding andpotting in the summer season. There are only a few small-floweredPetunias, such as, ‘Suntory SP-R’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,557),‘Sunberubu’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,754), ‘Sunbelchipi’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 10,355), and ‘Sunbeluki’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,558). ThesePetunias are of the semi-decumbent type and have a medium plant height,abundant branching, and a high resistance to heat, rain and disease.However, there are only a few varieties having a great profusion offlowers, a deep purplish-pink flower color, a very small flower size,and a high resistance to rain, heat, and disease. Accordingly, thisinvention is aimed at obtaining a new variety having a deeppurplish-pink colored petals with a dark red center, and very smallflowers combined with the above features.

The new variety of Petunia plant according to this invention originatedfrom crossing with the Petunia variety named ‘Sunbelchipi’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 10,355) as the female parent and a Petunia plant variety named‘P54’ (non-patented in the United States) as the male parent.

Initially, the crossing was conducted in May 1997 at the Omi R&D Centerof SUNTORY Ltd., located at 863-1, Aza-Iketani, Omori-cho,Youkaichi-shi, Shiga-ken, Japan. From that crossing, 50 seedlings wereobtained and five seedlings were selected during September 1998 in viewof their semi-erect growth habit and deep purplish-pink colored petals.These five seedlings were grown and were tested during potting andbedding trials. Only one plant was selected in September 1999. Theselected plant was propagated by the use of cuttings and then grown inpots in a trial in a greenhouse and in the field at the Omi R&D Centerfrom April to November 2000. The botanical characteristics of thefinally selected plant were examined using a similar variety,‘Sunbelbipi’ variety (non-patented in the United States), forcomparison. As a result, it was concluded that this new Petunia varietyis distinguishable from any other variety whose existence is known to usand is uniform and stable in its characteristics. This new variety ofPetunia plant was named ‘Sunbelkos’.

The new variety of the present invention can be readily distinguishedfrom the ‘Sunbelrikupi’ variety (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No.10/327,017, filed Dec. 24, 2002) and the ‘Sunbelre’ variety (U.S. Plantpatent application Ser. No. 10/327,030, filed Dec. 24, 2002) through anobservation of the flower coloration. Each of these varieties had thesame female parent. The new ‘Sunbelkos’ variety of the present inventionforms deep purplish-pink flowers with a dark red center, the‘Sunbelrikupi’ variety forms vivid reddish-purple flowers, and‘Sunbelre’ variety forms deep red flowers.

In the following description, the color information is in accordancewith The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London,England. A color chart based on The Japan Color Standard forHorticultural Plants (J.H.S. Color Chart) is also added for reference.

The main botanical characteristics ‘Sunbelchipi’ female parent are asfollows:

Plant:

Growth habit.—Semi-decumbent.

Plant height.—Approximately 15-16 cm.

Spreading area of plant.—The stem extends to a length of approximately11-13 cm from the base.

Blooming period.—April to late October in the southern Kanto area,Japan. The plant shape does not change throughout this period.

Stem:

Thickness.—Approximately 2.3 mm.

Pubescence.—Present.

Branching.—Abundant with the superior branching propensity, especiallysecondary branches.

Length of internode.—Approximately 1.4 cm.

Leaf:

Shape.—Lanceolate.

Length.—Approximately 5.1 cm.

Width.—Approximately 1.6 cm.

Color.—Dark yellow green (R.H.S. 146A, J.H.S. 3508).

Thickness.—Approximately 0.2-0.4 mm.

Pubescence.—Sparse.

Leaf attachment angle to stem.—Slanted upward to horizontal.

Flower:

Facing direction.—Horizontal.

Type.—Single.

Shape.—Funnel-shaped, with five fissures.

Shape of petal tip.—Round.

Waving of petal.—Weak.

Lobation of petal.—Shallow.

Diameter.—Approximately 2.8-2.9 cm.

Color.—Petal: Vivid purplish-red (R.H.S. 57C, J.H.S. 9707). Bottom colorof corolla throat: Strong yellow (R.H.S. 9A, J.H.S. 2513). Outside colorof corolla tube: Light greenish-yellow (R.H.S. 5C, J.H.S. 2904).

Reproductive organs.—1 normal pistil and 5 normal stamens.

Fertility.—Fertile, but self-incompatible.

Peduncle.—Approximately 0.7-0.8 mm in thickness, and approximately 1.9cm in length.

Physiological and ecological characteristics.—High resistance to heat,rain, drought and diseases, such as powdery mildew. The resistance toheat and rain is very strong.

Blooming.—A bloom commonly lasts approximately 10 days on the plant.Pinching is not necessary to ensure continuous blooming; however, itdoes tend to enhance bloom production.

The main botanical characteristics of the ‘P54’ variety are as follows:

Plant:

Growth habit.—Decumbent.

Plant height.—Approximately 9 cm.

Spreading area of plant.—The stem extends to a length of approximately 8cm from the base.

Blooming period.—April to late October in the southern Kanto area,Japan. The plant shape does not change throughout this period.

Stem:

Thickness.—Approximately 2.1 mm.

Pubescence.—Sparse.

Branching.—Abundant with a superior branching propensity, especiallysecondary branches.

Length of internode.—Approximately 0.4 cm.

Leaf:

Shape.—Lanceolate.

Length.—Approximately 3.2 cm.

Width.—Approximately 1.0 cm.

Color.—Deep yellow-green (R.H.S. 137C, J.H.S. 3706).

Thickness.—Approximately 0.3 mm.

Pubescence.—Sparse.

Leaf attachment angle to stem.—Slanted upward to horizontal.

Flower:

Facing direction.—Upward to slanted upward.

Type.—Single.

Shape.—Funnel-shaped, with five fissures.

Shape of petal tip.—Round.

Waving of petal.—Weak.

Lobation of petal.—Shallow.

Diameter.—Approximately 3.0 cm.

Color.—Petal: Pale purplish-pink (R.H.S. 69C, J.H.S. 9501) ground colorwith strong reddish-purple (R.H.S. 70A, J.H.S. 9214) veins, lightreddish-purple (R.H.S. 78C, J.H.S. 9212) center and with deeppurplish-pink (R.H.S. 73A, J.H.S. 9205) streaks. Bottom color of corollathroat: Brilliant greenish-yellow (R.H.S. 5A, J.H.S. 2905). Outsidecolor of corolla tube: Light greenish-yellow (R.H.S. 5C, J.H.S. 2904).

Reproductive organs.—1 normal pistil and 5 normal stamens.

Fertility.—Fertile, but self-incompatible.

Peduncle.—Approximately 0.8 mm in thickness, and approximately 2.0 cm inlength.

Physiological and ecological characteristics.—High resistance to heat,rain, drought and diseases, such as powdery mildew. The resistance toheat and rain is very strong.

Blooming.—A bloom commonly lasts approximately 10 days on the plant.Pinching is not necessary to ensure continuous blooming; however, itdoes tend to enhance bloom production.

The main botanical characteristics ‘Sunbelbipi’ variety are as follows:

Plant:

Growth habit.—Semi-erect.

Plant height.—Approximately 16 cm.

Spreading area of plant.—The stem extends to a length of approximately 9cm from the base.

Blooming period.—April to late October in the southern Kanto area,Japan. The plant shape does not change throughout this period.

Stem:

Thickness.—Approximately 2.2 mm.

Pubescence.—Present.

Branching.—Abundant with a superior branching propensity, especiallysecondary branches.

Length of internode.—Approximately 1.4 cm.

Leaf:

Shape.—Lanceolate to elliptic.

Length.—Approximately 3.9 cm.

Width.—Approximately 2.0 cm.

Color.—Grayish olive-green (R.H.S. 137B, J.H.S. 3716).

Thickness.—Approximately 0.2-0.4 cm.

Pubescence.—Sparse.

Leaf attachment angle to stem.—Slanted upward to horizontal.

Flower:

Facing direction.—Horizontal.

Type.—Single.

Shape.—Funnel-shape, with five fissures.

Shape of petal tip.—Round.

Waving of petal.—Weak.

Lobation of petal.—Shallow.

Diameter.—Approximately 3.5 cm.

Color.—Petal: Vivid reddish-purple (R.H.S. 65D, J.H.S. 9207). Bottomcolor of corolla throat: Brilliant greenish-yellow (R.H.S. 5A, J.H.S.2905).

Outside color of corolla tube.—Light yellow-green (R.H.S. 154C, J.H.S.3103).

Reproductive organs.—1 normal pistil and 5 normal stamens.

Fertility.—Fertile, but self-incompatible.

Peduncle.—Approximately 0.8 mm in thickness, and approximately 2.2 cm inlength.

Physiological and ecological characteristics.—High resistance to heat,rain, drought and diseases, such as powdery mildew. The resistance toheat and rain is very strong.

Blooming.—A bloom commonly lasts approximately 10 days on the plant.Pinching is not necessary to ensure continuous blooming; however, itdoes tend to enhance bloom production.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

This new variety of Petunia plant ‘Sunbelkos’ has a semi-decumbentgrowth habit with abundant branching, and forms single, very small deeppurplish-pink flowers with a dark red center in a great profustion ofblooms with the entire plant remaining in bloom for a considerableperiod of time. The plant has high tolerances to cold and heat, highresistance to pests and diseases, particularly powdery mildew, and highresistance to rain.

The plants described and depicted herein were propagated by the use ofcuttings and were approximately nine months of age. Such cuttings wereplaced in a greenhouse in January, were transplanted in February, werefurther transplanted to pots in April and were thereafter placedoutdoors, and were trimmed during July. When present in a greenhouse,the plants were grown under controlled greenhouse conditions under fullsunshine with no shielding from light. The minimum greenhousetemperature was maintained above 13° C.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The depicted plants had been reproduced by the use of cuttings and werephotographed during September while growing outdoors in pots at an ageof approximately nine months at Youkaichi-shi, Shiga-ken, Japan.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of flowers and leaves of the new variety ofPetunia plant ‘Sunbelkos’.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of flowers of the new variety of Petunia plant‘Sunbelkos’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The botanical characteristics of the new and distinct variety of Petuniaplant named ‘Sunbelkos’ are as follows were observed during October atYoukaichi-shi, Shiga-ken, Japan:

Plant:

Growth habit.—Semi-decumbent.

Plant height.—Approximately 14 cm.

Spreading area of plant.—The stem extends to a length of approximately 8cm from the base.

Blooming period.—April to late October in the southern Kanto area,Japan. The plant shape does not change throughout this period.

Stem:

Thickness.—Approximately 2.4 mm.

Pubescence.—Sparse.

Branching.—Abundant with a superior branching propensity, especiallywith respect to secondary branches.

Length of internode.—Approximately 1.1 cm.

Leaf:

Shape.—Lanceolate.

Length.—Approximately 4.1 cm.

Width.—Approximately 1.2 cm.

Color.—Dark olive-green (R.H.S. 137B, J.H.S. 3707) on the upper surfaceand R.H.S. 146B on the under surface.

Venation.—Pinnate and R.H.S. 150A.

Texture.—Smooth.

Margin.—Entire.

Thickness.—Approximately 0.4 mm.

Pubescence.—Sparse.

Leaf attachment angle to stem.—Slanted upward to horizontal.

Flower:

Facing direction.—Slanted upward.

Type.—Single.

Shape.—Funnel-shape, with five fissures.

Shape of petal tip.—Round.

Waving of petal.—Weak.

Lobation of petal.—Shallow.

Diameter.—3.0 cm.

Color.—Petal: Deep purplish-pink (R.H.S. 57D, J.H.S. 9705 to R.H.S. 58D,J.H.S. 9704) with a dark red (R.H.S. 59D, J.H.S. 0110) center. The basecolor of corolla throat: Brilliant greenish-yellow (R.H.S. 8A, J.H.S.2704). Outside color of corolla tube: Light greenish-yellow (R.H.S. 5C,J.H.S. 2904).

Venation.—R.H.S. 59B in coloration, and with generally linear main veinswith much branching as illustrated in FIG. 2.

Sepals.—R.H.S. 144A on the upper and lower surface in coloration,generally lanceolate in configuration, with an entire margin,approximately 11.5 mm in length, approximately 2.7 mm in width at thewidest point, and five in number. The calyx is tubular and divides intofive sepals.

Seeds.—R.H.S. 186A in coloration, approximately 0.6 mm in diameter, andgenerally round. The quantity is typical of Petunia hybrida.

Reproductive organs.—1 normal pistil and 5 normal stamens. The stigma isclub-shaped and R.H.S. 145A in coloration. The style is approximately 8mm in length and R.H.S. 145D in coloration. The ovary is R.H.S. 145B incoloration. The stamens commonly are of variable lengths fromapproximately 6.8 to 12 mm. Pollen is formed in a quantity that istypical of Petunia hybrida and is near R.H.S. 17A in coloration.

Fertility.—Fertile, but self-incompatible.

Peduncle.—Approximately 0.8 mm in thickness, and approximately 1.8 cm inlength. R.H.S. 177A on the upper side, and R.H.S. 144B on the lowerside. The texture is smooth.

Physiological and ecological characteristics.—High resistance to heat,rain, drought and diseases, such as Powdery mildew. The resistance toheat and rain is very strong.

Blooming.—A bloom commonly lasts approximately 10 days on the plant.Pinching is not necessary to ensure continuous blooming; however, itdoes tend to enhance bloom production.

This new variety of Petunia plant is most suitable for flower beddingand potting, particularly in hanging pots or in planters, and isexcellent for use as a ground cover. Pinching of old blossoms willenhance the formation of new blossoms.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Petunia plant, substantiallyas herein illustrated and described, characterized particularly as tonovelty by (A) having a semi-decumbent growth habit, (B) great profusionof blooms with the entire plant remaining in bloom for a considerableperiod of time, (C) flowers are single and very small, petals have adeep purplish pink˜strong purplish pink ground color with a dark redcenter margin, and (D) a high resistance to rain, heat, drought anddisease such as powdery mildew.